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Thursday, 29 November 2012

Takes Me Back

A little while ago my parents told me to go into their attic and see if there was anything I'd like to have! What? The attic is a treasure trove of old stuff, sentimental relics, unwanted items but too good to give away - probably like much like everyone else's attic.

Along with a few too small patterns, I did find this fabric: I'm guessing it was made in the 1970s; it is blue with little flecks of red and yellow, a slight stretch, knobbly on the outside and a smooth sheen on the inside and I wouldn't wear it within 10m of a naked flame! You know the stuff?
I'll call it polyester but it probably had a specialist name back in the day. It won't catch fire - it'll MELT!

Just shy of 2m I knew I could knock something up from it.

I choose Vogue 8825.

Firstly this pattern reminds me of the 1970s, especially the sleeve design, wide sleeves all gathered into a long cuff and what better fabric to use than a 1970's man-made, non-biodegradable, industrially produced, oil based product? Cutting edge for its time no doubt.
I was about 12 then - memories just starting to form - and the enthusiasm of youth to propel me onwards.

"Polyester' knit dresses from the '70s.

Secondly, I like the style - mock wrap bodice front, straight skirt, tie belt, puffy sleeves that are part and parcel of the back and an easy shawl collar. And it's rated easy! And you get the trousers thrown in too.

The pattern comes as a tunic length or dress - I had just enough fabric to make the dress but not enough to make the ties, so they are single sided with a narrow hem for finishing. I would have liked it to be a little longer too but free fabric that's 40 years old is hard to come by.

Oh, wearable, wearable.

It takes me back to when I was child and my mother made all my dresses from nylon, Crimplene and other polyester derivatives - almost anything as long as it wasn't natural.

Oh the 1970s!

Elvis and Janis Joplin were still alive; we started to learn about this country called America where everything was in colour while we lived in black and white and fashion was, well, just weird, if not high waisted!

Oh I do remember this fabric! I can even smell the fabric store, rolls and rolls of the stuff! You remind me - I dropped an ash (horrors, from a cigarette, a bunch of us girls, crammed into one car, the boys all outside swaggering around)and I got a melt straight through to my leg! Took forever to heal and I still have the scar. So you are spot on! anyway - your dress is lovely, I really like the color on you. Pretty.

From my distant memories only Nana's wore Osti Frocks as we (12 year olds) called them!! They were in 'interesting' florals and abstracts in muted and dark pastel type colours. This is much better than what I remember an Osti Frock being!!!

Fantastic. TLove the way the dress looks, and the color is great on you. Just be glad few people smoke anymore! And thanks for the memories! Early 70s was my first internation travel adventure, and I went to a wonderful place with the most friendly people ever. Ireland!

What a wonderful trip down memory lane...yes, I was there! I have been loving all the versions I've seen of this pattern and yours is no exception...truly the perfect marriage of pattern and fabric. Great job and post!

Love the dress, and what a wonderful find! I wasn't around to enjoy the seventies, but I definitely wore many of my mom's things from that era as "dress-up". One of my favorites was a crazy polyester dress in sea-foam green with a sheer cape that was attached to the shoulders. I think Mom wore it to be someone's bridesmaid. I loved that thing and would wear it any chance I got as a kid. ;) I also recovered several of her platform shoes and used them in the 90's when the 70's made a somewhat return via flared jeans and peasant tops. It'll come back around again, I'm sure.

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About Me

I am a full time teacher, married with one teenage son. I started sewing seriously a few years back and have learned so much from other sewing enthusiasts' blogs that I felt I had to give something back. So this is a record of "things I've made" and as a big thank you to all you inspirational women.